Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-30
The mexlssB National Beverage.

Everybody has heard OF puique, the
national beverage" IN this portion Of
the World-the fsrmented milk Of that
species Of caeti known to Northeruers
as the century plant, or aloe (AgGUs
AnaeTtca11G), here called maguey,
writes Fannie B. Ward from the City
Of Mexico. Although there are more
than $4,000 licensed pulqus shops in
the City of Mexico alone. besides IN
Vulnerable booths, stalls, and bar-rooms,
where that and other beverages are
dispensed, and although the popular
drink costs but 8 penny a schooner,
or 2 cents per quart, the shops are al
profitable. Very little pulque is sold
at wholesale, as most MeXicans who
make a business Of cultivating maguey
maintain their own shops for retailing
it A certain weli-knoWn aristoerat Of
this city, who rides In his carriage and
Is reckOned among the magnates of the
land, has i've plJlQIteTidS, from which
he Is said to derive the neat little IN
come Of $50, coo per annum. Accord
ing to official statistics, a little more
than so, 900 gallons Of puIque are sold
every day IN the Mexican Capital, and
nearly double that amount on Sunday
and saints days. Three special trains
laden with nothing but pu1que run
daily into the City Of Mexico from the
near. by plains Of Apam and Otumba,
where much maguey is cultivated.
From this industry alone the Federal
Government derives a revenue Of 81, OOC
per diem IN the way Of duties. and the
railroads an equal amount for transport
tation Of the same.
What a field Is this for the temper
do better to mind his own affairsor, to
turn his attention elsewhere, for pulaue
is not only of the most heaIthfuI and
harmless Of beverages but it is one OF
the few blessings which the poor OF
Mexico enjoy, and Heaven knows their
comforts are few enough. Being not
at all heavy in its effects, the worst
abuse OF the blessing" leaves no head
ache behind, but serves only to intensity
the gallantry Of the guzzler, making
him sing and dance till the sleepy
stage comes on, showing his white teeth
IN continual laughter and hauling off his
ragged sOmbrero to passing ladies,
with the most respectful salaams. Two
cents worth Of pulque VIII render the
poorest peasant happier than a king,
while cents worth viii secure him the
honor Of being escorted by men much
higher in the social scale than him
self (the police to the nearest
caTcel, and an engagement to work foI
the Government a fortnight or so, tc
begin when he shall awake next day
with beans and tortiIlas provided. As
may be inferred, the Government has
no lack of labOrers on these easy terms,
and finds no difficulty in thus keeping
the streets we'll paved and similar pub.
lie duties performed.
It is as amusing to note the efforts
which newly arrived Americans make
to say the word (Which should be pro
nOunced poOl-kee) as their grimaces il
learning to like the liquid They gen,
orally begin by calling it "pulk, or al
best "polk, and end by doing their full
share toward disposing Of those $4,000
gallons per diem. In its best estate
the sour-smeIling stuff looks like thicI
buttermilk, and tastes somewhat nastier
if possible, than spoiled yeast.